Climate Defenders Australia

Climate Defenders Australia The first dedicated legal service established to protect, empower and advance the rights of climate and environmental defenders in Australia.

Our team combines legal expertise with our own lived experience of climate action and nature protection advocacy.

Bookmark this post to come back to later, or share with a friend.If you believe you might interact with police at an act...
01/10/2026

Bookmark this post to come back to later, or share with a friend.

If you believe you might interact with police at an action, there’s a few important things you should know. Here is a quick guide to your rights when interacting with police — including what police can and can’t ask of you, and what to know about search and move-on powers. Rules vary by state, so if you need advice for your situation, get in touch.
 

Case Update! We were out at Parramatta Local Court last Thursday to present closing submissions for the remaining 2024 R...
29/09/2026

Case Update!

We were out at Parramatta Local Court last Thursday to present closing submissions for the remaining 2024 Rising Tide Blockade cases. Unfortunately, no judgment was delivered so our clients need to wait a couple of weeks before we receive a result.

AI isn’t just bad for the environment, it’s bad at being a lawyer too.AI’s ability to hallucinate, present wrong informa...
27/09/2026

AI isn’t just bad for the environment, it’s bad at being a lawyer too.

AI’s ability to hallucinate, present wrong information as fact, or provide overly generic information is well documented. Already, the legal industry is seeing instances where AI has been prompted to prepare a legal case – with disastrous results.

It’s not just bad advice, either.

There’s currently a case in NSW where prosecutors are using a defendant’s ChatGPT history against them as evidence.

Here’s the thing: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot are not lawyers. They do not owe you legal duties, such as confidentiality or to act in your best interests, which protect you when you seek legal advice.

Anything you tell Ai tools could be handed to police or prosecutors.

If you think you might be in trouble, the best thing you can do is speak to a lawyer. We’re here for you, anytime. Contact us at the link in our bio.

We couldn’t do what we do without our team of all-round good humans. Today we’re introducing you to Kudra Falla-Ricketts...
24/09/2026

We couldn’t do what we do without our team of all-round good humans. Today we’re introducing you to Kudra Falla-Ricketts, one of CDA’s lawyers.

Before joining CDA, Kudra worked and volunteered in various roles at the Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre, Legal Aid, Environmental Justice Australia and the Australian Earth Laws Alliance, mainly in the areas of civil and environmental law.

Kudra also has a long background in grassroots community organising, which cultivated her desire to study law for the purpose of defending environment and environmental defenders.

What drew you to work in this area of law?

“Climate and environmental defenders are essential in holding government and corporations accountable for the devastation to our planet. We are all a part of an ecosystem which we are reliant on for survival and yet because of us, that ecosystem is collapsing. I observed that people who were engaging in peaceful protest in defence of our ecosystem were lacking adequate legal support and representation, so I became a lawyer to be able to defend them.”

What do you enjoy most about working at Climate Defenders Australia?

“I love getting to support and defend so many wonderful and diverse climate denders from all over the country, who are all taking action and standing up to defend our climate and environment from the many threats it faces. I love hearing their stories and passion, and helping them navigate the legal system so that they feel understood, empowered and supported. This work reminds me that we are never alone in the fight for environmental justice, there are people across this continent taking action every day to protect what they love.”

What do you do outside of work?

“I love being in nature, in the forest and in the ocean and covered in mud in my ever-expanding garden. I am also an artist and I love lino printing and painting.  And I love travelling and adventuring and camping and scuba diving, especially amongst kelp.”

We’ve made a submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Human Rights Bill 2025 🇦🇺⚖️NSW is trailing Victoria, Q...
16/09/2026

We’ve made a submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Human Rights Bill 2025 🇦🇺⚖️

NSW is trailing Victoria, Queensland and the ACT, which already have one — this Bill could change that. We support it, and think it’s well drafted overall, but we’ve also flagged where we think it could be stronger, particularly around the right to a healthy environment and how rights can be limited.

Swipe through for our take 👉

This month, so far 🌿⚖️ We’ve been back in court in Newcastle for procedural hearings — the unglamorous but essential wor...
15/09/2026

This month, so far 🌿

⚖️ We’ve been back in court in Newcastle for procedural hearings — the unglamorous but essential work of keeping our cases moving.

📋 In Casino, NSW, we’re preparing a criminal case for sentence. This means advocating for our client and making the case that their sentence is as lenient as possible.

🌱 We’ve been working with an environmental NGO to build a legal literacy training programme for their staff.

🎓 We spoke with students at Sydney Law School about careers in public interest law — hopefully inspiring the next generation of movement lawyers.

🔍 And we’ve rolled out a new research tool so our lawyers stay across the latest legislation and case law.

Busy month. More soon 👀

Yesterday, CDA lawyer Kudra represented Daisy in the Casino Local Court. In March, Daisy locked herself on to a bulldoze...
10/09/2026

Yesterday, CDA lawyer Kudra represented Daisy in the Casino Local Court. In March, Daisy locked herself on to a bulldozer in Cherry Tree State Forest to protest against native forest logging. Daisy initially faced two charges and a maximum penalty of prison time.

Kudra negotiated with the police to withdraw the more serious charge and amend the other charge. Daisy pleaded guilty to interfering with forest harvesting equipment and was convicted and given a small fine.

Daisy said: “Thank you to Kudra and CDA without your service we would not be able to continue the fight for healthier forest’s and habitat and to End Native Forest Logging NOW!”

We couldn’t do what we do without our team of all-round good humans. Today we’re introducing you to Declan Bolger, one o...
07/09/2026

We couldn’t do what we do without our team of all-round good humans. Today we’re introducing you to Declan Bolger, one of CDA’s Paralegals.

Declan is studying a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Communications in Social and Political Science at University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Before joining CDA, he worked in legal support in Barristers Chambers, and in student equity and inclusion. He has volunteered for the UTS Law Students Society and the Lawyers Collective for Palestine, where he worked on fundraising campaigns for LGBTQIA+ focused community law centres.

Declan lives on Gadigal and Bidjigal country. He is of Irish, Niuean, and Māori (Ngāti Maniapoto) descent and is particularly concerned with the disproportionate impacts of climate destruction on Pacific Peoples and First Nations peoples here.

What drew you to work in this area of law?

“I have seen firsthand the state of police repression in this country regarding our rights to public assembly and protest, and I believe it to be antithetical to the foundations of a functioning democracy.

As a young person of Pasifika descent, I was especially drawn to the opportunity to protect and advance the rights of climate defenders in this country who are working to defend one of the most climate-affected region in the world that my family calls home.”

What do you enjoy most about working at Climate Defenders Australia?

““I love being able to engage in such important work in supporting activists who are fighting on behalf of my future. It is a dream of mine to be involved in this sort of social justice lawyering so to be able to get involved as a student amongst such an amazing and welcoming team is such a privilege.”

What do you do outside of work?

“Outside of work you will likely find me searching for the next local gig or big concert to enjoy with my friends. Or walking my German shepherd.”

Benedict shares his thanks to Climate Defenders Australia and Rising Tide for their hard work in getting all charges aga...
02/09/2026

Benedict shares his thanks to Climate Defenders Australia and Rising Tide for their hard work in getting all charges against those arrested at the 2024 blockade.

Catching up? Earlier this month we successfully had all charges dropped for 110 climate defenders who participated in the 2024 Rising Tide protest at Newcastle Harbour.

It’s been two years since they were arrested. Two years of wondering if they’ll be convicted, go to gaol or be fined. Two years wondering if they might lose their jobs or their business for what they did. Two years waiting for justice.

Behind every case is a person like Benedict. We’re so glad we could give him peace of mind and (hopefully) a good night sleep.

Repost from Rising Tide

31/08/2026

Save this before your next protest 📌
We hear these questions all the time — so here’s some info we hope will help:

1. Know your rights before you need them
You’re entitled to understand the law and your rights. You don’t need to wait until you’re in trouble — contact us any time, even before an action, so you can make informed decisions.

2. Right to silence = your best friend
You have the right to remain silent. Never do an interview with police without calling us first.

3. Police aren’t above the law
Think they acted outside their powers? Tell us. It might be relevant to your case, worth a formal complaint, or in some cases, grounds for a legal case against them.

4. Bail conditions causing hardship?
We may be able to help you apply to have them varied. But never risk breaching bail — it’s not worth it.

5. Will I go to jail?
Jail is a sentence of last resort. If you haven’t been in trouble before and you’ve just been charged with a protest offence, it’s really unlikely that you will be sentenced to time in jail — but call us for advice that is tailored to your specific situation.

Know your rights. Contact CDA — link in bio. 🌱

Address

Level 3 Salesforce Tower, 180 George Street
Sydney, NSW
2000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(02)80444870

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